Drunken driving suspect hits propane tank, two pedestrians

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A Grass Valley woman was arrested Thursday morning after she reportedly hit a propane tank, then ran over two people who had come outside to check on the crash.

A second woman also was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after she tried to drive by the scene of the accident.

The first driver, identified as Gianni Danyel Tantillo, 39, reportedly had been causing a disturbance at a residence on Tracy Drive just before the accident.

Nevada County Sheriff’s deputies had been called out to a residence in the 11000 block of Tracy Drive at about 4 a.m., for a report of several drunken people “causing a commotion” and refusing to leave, screaming and physically fighting.

At about 4:30 a.m., Tantillo reportedly left the scene in a Chevrolet Tahoe, according to dispatch reports.

Another caller reported hearing screaming, and at 4:40 a.m., a third caller reported the Tahoe had gone through a fence and into a propane tank off Harmony Place near Wolf Drive.

Tantillo reportedly was driving on Harmony Place when she allowed the vehicle to leave the roadway, where it struck a utility pole and then collided into a large propane tank, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Greg Tassone.

Power went out through the area and the propane tank began leaking.

Family and friends of the driver also live in the area and they responded to investigate the collision, Tassone said.

As Tantillo tried to flee the scene, two people were hit in the roadway and partially run over by the vehicle, receiving minor to moderate injuries, Tassone said.

One victim was listed as being 22 years old, and might have sustained a broken arm, Tassone said. The other victim was 25 and sustained leg and ankle injuries. They were transported by private parties to Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital.

The driver continued fleeing to another driveway/property in the area, Tassone said.

CHP personnel responded to the scene, along with Nevada County Consolidated firefighters and Sheriff’s deputies. CHP personnel also responded to the hospital to investigate the circumstances and injuries there.

Deputies and officers were able to locate Tantillo in the area. She was evaluated for DUI and was determined to have caused the collision due to her impairment from alcohol, Tassone said, adding that she also was driving on a suspended license.

Tantillo was booked into county jail on suspicion of felony driving under the influence, causing great bodily injury, and was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail.

CHP is handling the investigation, which is ongoing. Charges of felony hit-and-run are also possible and will be evaluated as the investigation progresses.

The victims are expected to recover, Tassone said.

At approximately 5:30 a.m., while CHP officers were at the scene, another driver tried to pass through the area while returning to a residence.

When the woman, identified as Nicole Leigh Setzer, 29, came into contact with officers, they reportedly observed signs of alcohol consumption and possible DUI. They had her step out, evaluated her and determined she was under the influence of alcohol, Tassone said.

Setzer was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence, booked and released on $1,948 bail.